Bearing



June 29, 1937. A. G. F. WALLGREN ET AL BEARING Filed Jan. 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. W wmb 7&4; 041x41 M l m/2A1 ATTORNEY.

June 29, 1937.

BEARING Filed Jan. 22, 1936 A. s. F. WALLGREN ET AL 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR5,

MM M

m ATTORNEY.

June 29, 1937. A. e. FL WALLGREN ET AL. 2,085,240

BEARING Filed Jan. 22, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 7f INVEZ'ZIZBZR.5, BY WM MATTORNEY Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEARING August Gunnar Ferdinand Wallgrcn, Stockholm, and Oscar Simon Fridoli' Lundh, Appelviken,

Sweden,

assignors to Aktiebolaget Nomy,

Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden 25 Claims.

Our invention relates to bearings and more particularly to thrust bearings of the sliding block type.

In bearings of this type, it is preferable to provide for universal motion between one of the bearing members and its supporting member, as between the shaft and the rotating. bearing member or between the housing and the rotationally stationary bearing member, in order to maintain the cooperating bearing surfaces parallel, even though the shaft is out of alignment. This means for permitting universal movementmay be either a ball and socket joint or a Cardan ring provided with diametrically opposed projections on one side of the ring contacting the bearing member and similar projections, on the other side but disposed at 90 with respect to the first mentioned projections, on the other side of the ring contacting'the supporting member. However, a ball and socket joint has the serious disadvantage that, because of the large contact surfaces in the joint, it is necessary to overcome a large amount of friction in order for movement between the parts to take place. This drawback is overcome by the use of a Cardan ring, inasmuch as there is only point or line contact between the meeting parts, but this results in a high concentration of load which, particularly in the case of the bearing member, may result in its deformation under high bearing loads.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a bearing employing a Cardan ring in which provision is made for substantially equally distributing the load around the periphery of the bearing member.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and of which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an element shown in Fig. 1 and is taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the element shown in Fi 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a Cardan ring shown in Fig. 1 and is taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig- 5 is an end view of the ring shown in Fi 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a bearing showing an undesirable condition;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig.

6 but showing an arrangement for overcoming the undesirable condition shown in the preceding figure;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showinga third embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a bearing including a fourth embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of an element shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an element shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of another element shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment. of our invention.

Referring more particularly to the bearing illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, reference character l0 designates a rotatable shaft which may be subjected to thrust in either direction. Mounted for rotation with shaft l0, in a manner to be subsequently described, is a carrier ring I I which carries in rotation therewith a plurality of bearing blocks l2. A thrust bearing of this general type is described more in detail in U. S. Patent No. 1,920,727, granted August 1, 1935, to

August Gunnar Ferdinand Wallgren. Blocks I 2- are formed with bearing surfaces which cooperate with bearing surfaces formed on stationary bearing rings l3. Rings [3 are mounted within a cylindrical member I 4 which in turn is supported within ga bearing housing-l5. Annular rings l1 aredisposed within the housing between cylinder H and shoulders l8 integral with the housing. A pin. serves to position cylinder l4 and side of ring H. A second thrust distributing element 2'! bears against the other sideof ring II. A pair of Cardanrings 28' ar'e formed with dia- ,metrice;lly opposed projections 129ml one end which bear against element 26 and 21, respectively. Cardan rings 28 are formed with additional projections 30 on the opposite end of the ring from projections 29 and disposed at with respect thereto. Projections 30 bear against flanges 33 at either end of the bearing. Flange 33 at the right hand end, as shown in Fig. l, abuts against a shoulder formed on the shaft while the ring 33 at the left hand end abuts against a washer 34 held in place by means of a nut 35 screwed onto a threaded projection on the shaft.

Thus it will be seen that by tightening nut 35 the flanges 33, Cardan rings 28 and the thrust distributing elements 26 and 21 will be forced into mutual contact and the thrust distributing elements will be forced against carrier ring ll. However, the parts should be so dimensioned that, when nut 35 is fully tightened, the aforesaid parts will not be put under high stress, but merely clamped together sufliciently to hold them in place.

Torque is transmitted from the shaft to the carrier ring I l by means of a key 36 placed in an axial groove in theshaft and engaging key ways formed in thrust distributing elements 26 and 21. The fit between these thrust distributing elementsand the shaft, including the key carried by the shaft, is sufficiently loose so as to allow for wobbling between the shaft and the thrust distributing elements. The inner surfaces of the Cardan rings do not contact the shaft throughout their entire length because of annular projections 31 which are formed on these surfaces, thus allowing greater freedom of movement between the Cardan rings and the shaft.

Thrust distributing elements 26 and 21 are preferably formed with recesses 38 in those portions of their surfaces 24 which are in axial alignment with the projections 29 on the Cardan rings 28. The outer ridges of flanges 33 are preferably formed with conical surfaces, which cooperate with similar surfaces on rings I! for forcing lubricant to the bearing surfaces, in a manner known per se.

The operation of the above described bearing is as follows, assuming thrust to be imposed upon the shaft ill in the direction indicated by the arrow. This thrust is transmitted from the shaft to the flange 33 at the right-hand end of the bearing, as viewed in Fig. 1, and from this flange through the projections 30 to the Cardan ring 23. From here it is transmitted through the projections 29 to the thrust distributing member 26. Due to the fact that surface 24 of element 26 is formed with recesses 38 opposite projections 29, this thrust can not be applied to the carrier ring II at these points only, even though the thrust is sufficient to slightly deform element 26. On the contrary, the thrust is distributed by the ele- .ment 26 around substantially the entire periphery of ring II. This assures that the ring will not be deformed, as it might be if the entire thrust were applied to it at two points only. From the ring II the thrust is transmitted to the bearing blocks [2 and through the oil film maintained between the bearing surfaces to the ring 13 at the left end of the bearing. From this bearing ring, the thrust is transmitted through plate 20 to ring I! and hence to the bearing housing. Thrust in the opposite direction would be transmitted in a similar manner from the shaft to the housing by the members which are the complements of those above catalogued. For either direction of thrust, torque is transmitted from the shaft to the carrier ring H by means of the key 36 to the thrust distributing elements 2'6 and 21 and thence to the carrier ring. Thus, the Cardan rings 28 are not required to transmit any torque.

In the event that shaft I0 is somewhat out of alignment and hence upon rotation wobbles with respect to the bearing housing, the provision of the Cardan rings permits the thrust distributing elements 25 and 21, the carrier ring II and the blocks l2 to run true with respect to the stationary bearing rings 13. This means that the shaft must wobble with respect to these members which are carried in rotation with it and this is permitted by virtue of the slight play provided between the elements 26 and 21 and the shaft.

From the above description of operation, it will be apparent that the bearing members on but one side of the bearing are loaded at any particular time and consequently the bearing members on the other side are unloaded. If no special provision was made, this might result in spaces being formed between the bearing surfaces of the blocks and the bearing ring l3 on the unloaded side of the bearing, as is shown in exaggerated form in Fig. 6 and indicated by the letter at. These spaces might result in an undesirable circulation of lubricant toward the shaft in the direction indicated by the arrow b. In order to prevent the formation of these spaces, a plurality of comparatively light springs 44, shown in Fig. 7, may be provided between rings I1 and the plates 20. On the loaded side of the bearing, these springs are compressed until the plate 20 abuts against the ring l1. However, on the unloaded side, as shown in Fig, '7, these springs force the plate 20 and the bearing ring l3 toward the bearing blocks [2 with just sufficient force to prevent the formation of the spaces a without imposing any appreciable frictional drag on this side of the bearing.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the Cardan rings are disposed between the rotationally stationary bearing rings 45 and the bearing housing l5, instead of between the carrier ring and the shaft. The projections 46 on the outer ends of the Cardan rings 41 abut against the shoulders [8 of the housing, whereas the projections on the other ends of the Cardan rings, which are disposed at 90 with respect to projections 46, abut against outwardly extending flanges 48 formed on the thrust distributing elements 49. These elements are formed with inwardly extending flanges 59 which abut against the annular plates 53 disposed between them and the bearing rings 45. Flanges 48 are formed with an annular ridge 51 which rests on the interior of the bearing housing, and tiltably supports the elements 49 therein.

Ihe carrier ring II is rigidly clamped to the shaft by means of sleeves 54 and 55 which are in turn clamped in place by means of the nut 35. Consequently, the carrier ring I l and the bearing blocks l2 wobble with the shaft and the bearing rings 45 are permitted to run true with respect to the bearing blocks by virtue of the fact that they also wobble with the shaft and wobble with respect to the housing [5. This wobbling is permitted by the Cardan rings 4'! interposed between the thrust distributing elements 49 and the housing.

The thrust distributing elements 49 assure that the thrust will be distributed around substantially the entire periphery of the bearing rings 45. This may be of particular advantage if the rings are weakened at certain places in their periphery by being slotted, as is shownat 56. The purpose of i this weakening is to provide unloaded zones in the bearing surfaces for facilitating slight movement of the blocks l2 with respect to the carrier ring I l upon a reversal in direction of rotation of the shaft, as is explained in detail in U. S. Patent No. 2,012,841, granted August 2'7, 1935, to August Gunnar Ferdinandwallgren. If the thrust load acted in two points only of a bearing ring weakened in this nature, it would be very apt toproduce undesirable deformations in the ring, which are prevented by the equal distribution assured by the provision of the thrust distributing elements 49. In order to prevent the leakage of lubricant through slots 56, the cylinder sleeves 51 may be placed within bearing rings 45.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, with the exception that a different Cardan arrangement is provided. The Cardan rings 28 of the first embodiment are here replaced by means of a plurality of rings 60. Each ring is formed 'withan axially extending annular shoulder 6| adjacent its inner periphery on one end and a similar annular projection 62 adjacent to its outer periphery on the other end. The rings are so placed that, for instance, a projection 6| on one of the rings abuts against flange 33,'projection 62 on two of the rings abuts against each other, projection 6| on the second ring abuts against a similar projection 6| on the third ring, the projection 62 of which abuts against either a spacer ring 63 or directly against the carrier ring I I. These rings permit universal movement between the shaft and the spacer ring 63 by virtue of their resiliency and they act somewhat in the nature of a strong spring. Due to the fact that diametrically opposed projections are not employed, the thrust transmitted from the third ring to the spacer" ring 63 is evenly distributed around the entire periphery, wherefore this thrust could be directly applied to the carrier ring II. The extra spacer ring 63 is employed only so that the dimensions of the parts for a bearing in accordance with this embodiment may be the same as for a bearing in accordance with the first embodiment. While three rings 60 have been shown on either side of the bearing,'it is obvious that a greater or lesser number could be employed.

Inasmuch as the universal movement provided by the rings 60 depends upon their resiliency,-it is apparent that movement may take place more readily at high loads than at low loads. However, it is more essential that the bearing surfaces are true at high loads than it is at low loads. Nevertheless, if desired, these rings may be so formed as to provide an equal degree of universal movement over a wide range of loads. As shown in Fig. 10, rings 65, 66 and 61 may be provided which are similar to ring 60 but which have different axial lengths and hence different degrees of resiliency. With the arrangement shown in this figure, when operating under a light load, ring 66, and perhaps ring 66, would not be deformed at all, the universal movement taking place by virtue of the deformation of the thinner ring 61. Under heavy loads, the ring 61, and

possibly the ring 66, would be immediately deformed until there is contact with the adjacent ring, not only along the surfaces provided by the annular projections, but at other points as well. Under these conditions, the rings 66 and 61, for instance, would act as a single ring, the resiliency of which would be greater than that of either of them alone. Thus, the bearing would be, in this respect, self-adjusting for whatever thrust load might be imposed on it.

Instead of forming the universal movement means as a plurality of separate rings, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, it may consist of a single ring element 68, as shown in Figs. ll and 12. In this embodiment, the'flange 33, Cardan ring 28 and thrust distributing element 26,shown in Fig. 1, are combined to form a single integral element provided with pairs of peripheral slots 69 and I0 formed therein and separating the ring 68 into a flange 73 at one end, a central. part 14 and a ring 15 at the other end. Flange 13 and central part 14 are connected together by means of diametrically opposed narrow strips of material 16 which interrupt slots 69; These strips16 correspond to the projections 30 of the Cardan rings shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. Central part 14 is connected to end ring 15 by strips 11 which are diametrically opposed to each other and disposed at 90 with respect to strips 16. Strips TI correspond to projections 29 on the Cardan ring 28 of Fig. 1. The end surface of ring 15, which bears against carrier ring I I is formed with a recess 18 which corresponds to and performs the same function as recess 38 in thrust distributing elements 26 and 21 of Fig. 1.

due to the fact that the end flange, Cardan ring and thrust distributingelement are formedin a single integral piece, they need not rest on the shaft which passes therethrough. Consequently, wear between the shaft and these parts is eliminated. Torque is transmitted from ,the shaft to the carrier ring H by means of a key 88 which has sufficient play to permit. wobbling of the carrier ring with respect to the shaft. In this embodiment, the universal movement between the carrier ring and the shaft is permitted by virtue of the resiliency of sleeve 68 caused by its being formed with slots 69 and 16. This resiliency may be increased, if desired, byenlarging the slots adjacent to their ends as shown at 6|. Consequently, even though the shaft wobbles, the carrier ring I l and the blocks 2| carried thereby may.

Groove 83 is formed with diametrically opposed openings 86, one of which is shown in .Fig. 15, through which the projections 85-may be inserted and the flange and the Cardan ring locked together by rotating one of them through approximately90 with respect to the other. The

Cardan ring may be'locked' to the thrust distributing element 81 in similar manner, the thrust distributing element being provided with an annular groove 88 for receiving the projections 89 on the Cardan ring 84. i As described in the other embodiments, projections 89 are disposed at 90 with respect to the projections 85 on the other end of the ring. Sufilcient play is provided between the projections on the Cardan ring and the grooves 83 and 68 to permit the necessary movement required between these parts. Inasmuch as the flange, Cardan ring and thrust distributing element are-locked together in the manner described, the Cardan ring and thrust distributing element do not bear against the shaft and hence wear is eliminated in the same manner as described in connection with Figs. 11 and 12.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, which is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 through 5, the flange 33 is provided with an annular shoulder 90 which fits within the bore of Cardan ring 28. Thrust distributing element 26 is formedwith a similar shoulder 9| which also fits within the bore of the Cardan ring. .In this manner, neither the Cardan ring nor the thrust distributing element bears against the shaft and hence no wear takes place between them. The material of which shafts are ordinarily made is not hardened and hence not wear resisting. On the other hand, the flange 33, Cardan ring 28 and thrust distributing element 26 may be made of suitable material to resist the wear which takes place between them in the bearing shown in Fig. 16. In other respects, this bearing is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 through 5 and operates in the same manner.

While we have described several more or less specific embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for purposes of illustration only and that our invention is not to be limited thereto but its scope is to be determined by the appended claims viewed in the light of the prior art.

What we claim is:

1. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other including a Cardan ring having diametrically pposed thrust transmitting projections for supporting one of said members, and a thrust distributing element disposed between said projection and said one of said members.

2. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a rotatable bearing member mounted on said shaft, a stationary bearing member mounted in said housing, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other including a Cardan ring having diametrically opposed projections for transmitting thrust between said shaft and said rotatable bearing member, and a thrust distributing element disposed between said projections and said rotatable bearing member.

3. A bearing as claimed in claim 2 in which said thrust distributing element is located radially inside said bearing surface.

4. A bearing as claimed in claim 2 in which said Cardan ring and said thrust distributing element are arranged directly around said shaft.

5. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a first bearing member on said shaft, a second bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other including a Cardan ring having diametrically opposed projections for transmitting thrust between said housing and said second bearing member, and a thrust distributing element disposed between said projections and said second bearing member.

6. A bearing as claimed in claim 5 in which said thrust distributing element is located radially outside said bearing surfaces.

7. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other including a Cardan ring having diametrically opposed thrust transmitting projections for supporting one of said members, and a thrust distributing element disposed between said projections and said one of said members, said thrust distributing element being formed with recesses adjacent to said one of said members in axial alignment with said projections.

8. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a rotating bearing member mounted on said shaft and having radial bearing surfaces disposed on opposite sides, rotationally stationary bearing members mounted in said housing and having bearing surfaces cooperating with 'the bearing surfaces on said rotating bearing members, and means for maintaining said cooperating surfaces parallel with each other including a pair of Cardan rings having diametrically opposed projections for transmitting thrust between said rotationally stationary members and said housing, and a thrust distributing member between the projections on each of said Cardan rings and the corresponding rotationally stationary bearing member, said thrust distributing elements being rigidly secured together.

9. A bearing as claimed in claim 8 in which said thrust distributing elements are tiltably supported in said housing.

10. In a thrust bearing for a rotary shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with respect to each other including a Cardan arrangement for supporting one of said members and means for distributing thrust transmitted through said Cardan arrangement substantially equally around the periphery of said one of said members.

11. In a thrust bearing for a rotary shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with respect to each other including a Cardan arrangement forsupporting one of said members and transmitting thrust at diametrically opposed points and means for distributing said thrust substantially equally around the periphery of said one of said members.

12. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a rotating bearing member mounted on said shaft and having radial bearing surfaces disposed on opposite sides, bearing members mounted in said housing and having bearing surfaces cooperating with the bearing surfaces on said rotating bearing member, and means for maintaining said cooperating surfaces parallel with each other including a pair of Cardan rings having diametrically opposed projections for transmitting thrust between said shaft and said rotating bearing member, a thrust distributing element between the projections on said Cardan ring and said rotating bearing member, and resilient means for maintaining the rotationally stationary bearing ring on the unloaded side of the bearingin contact with the bearing surface on the corresponding side of said rotating bearing surface. 13. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, 8. housing, a first bearing member on said shaft, 8. second bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, said second bearing member being formed with a portion of reduced thickness so as to provide a deformable zone, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel including a Cardan ring having diametrically opposed projections for transmitting thrust between said housing and said second bearing member, and a thrust distributing 15 element disposed between said projections and said second bearing member.

14. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, 8. housing, a first bearing member on said shaft, a second bearing member mounted in said housing 20 and rotationally stationary with respect thereto,

said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, said second bearing member being formed with a slit in a radial plane so as to provide a. deformable zone, a sleeve within said second bear- 25 ing member for preventing leakage of lubricant through said slit, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel including a Cardan ring having diametrically opposed projections for transmitting thrust between said housing and said second 0 bearing member and a thrust distributing element disposed between said projections and said second bearing member.

15. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, 9, housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation 35 with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing and rotationally stationary with respect thereto, said member having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other and for distributing thrust substantially equally around the periphery. of one of said members including a thrust transmitting spring member bearing against substantially the entire periphery of said one of said members.

16. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel including a plurality of resilient thrust transmitting rings disposed between the rotating bearing member and said shaft, one of said rings bearing against substantially the entire periphery of said rotating bearing member, whereby thrust is evenly distributed therearound.

1'7. A hearing as claimed in claim 16 in which said rings are formed with different degrees of resiliency.

18. In a. thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel and for distributing thrust substantially equally around the periphery of the rotating bearing member including an annular member having one end portion fixed with respect to said shaft, an intermediate portion and another end portion bearing against said rotating bearing member, said intermediate portion being connected to said end portion by narrow strips of material.

19. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a bearing member mounted for rotation with said shaft, a bearing member mounted in said housing, said members having cooperating bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel and for distributing thrust substantially equaily around the periphery of the rotating bearing member including an annular member having one end portion fixed with respect to said shaft, an intermediate portion and another end portion bearing against said rotating bearing member, said intermediate portion being connected to said end portions by pairs of narrow strips of material, the strips of each pair being diametrically disposed with respect to each other and disposed at 90 with respect to the strips of the other pair.

20. A bearing as claimed in claim 18 in which the strips are integral with the intermediate portion and with the respective end portions.

21. A bearing as claimed in claim 18 in which the strips are integral with the intermediate portion and are locked in grooves formed. in the respective end portions.

22. A bearing as claimed in claim 19 in which the strips are integral with the intermediate portion and with the respective end portions.

23. A bearing as claimed in claim 19 in which the strips are integral with the intermediate portion and are locked in grooves formed in the respective end portions.

24. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a rotatable bearing member mounted on said shaft, a stationary bearing member mounted in said housing, said members having cooperative bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other including a flange fixed to said shaft, a Cardan ring and a thrust distributing member disposed between said flange and said rotatable bearing member, and means for centering said Cardan ring and said thrust distributing member with respect to said shaft and for maintaining them out of contact with the shaft.

25. In a thrust bearing for a rotating shaft, a housing, a rotatable bearing member mounted on said shaft, a stationary bearing member mounted in said housing, said members having cooperative bearing surfaces, and means for maintaining said surfaces parallel with each other including a flange fixed to said shaft and having an annular AUGUST GUNNAR FERDINAND WALLGREN. OSCAR SIMON FRIDOLF LUNDH. 

